The heads of the FBI, CIA, NSA and three other US intelligence agencies have warned Americans not to buy Huawei smartphones, or indeed any other Huawei products and services. All expressed concerns that close links to the Chinese government meant that there was a risk of malicious access and data theft.

They gave the warning in a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill …

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CNBC reports that they focused on the risks of using commercial network products from Huawei and ZTE, but extended the warning to consumers too.

All six indicated they would not recommend private citizens use products from the Chinese companies.

“We’re deeply concerned about the risks of allowing any company or entity that is beholden to foreign governments that don’t share our values to gain positions of power inside our telecommunications networks,” FBI Director Chris Wray testified.

“That provides the capacity to exert pressure or control over our telecommunications infrastructure,” Wray said. “It provides the capacity to maliciously modify or steal information. And it provides the capacity to conduct undetected espionage.”

Rumors began circulating in December that Huawei was close to signing a deal with AT&T to sell the Mate 10 Pro, before the Chinese company confirmed that US carrier sales would begin shortly, with full details set to be announced at CES. At that time, it was expected to announce partnerships with both AT&T and Verizon.

Huawei denies any risks, and blames a government conspiracy to frustrate its business ambitions.

Huawei is aware of a range of U.S. government activities seemingly aimed at inhibiting Huawei’s business in the U.S. market. Huawei is trusted by governments and customers in 170 countries worldwide and poses no greater cybersecurity risk than any ICT vendor, sharing as we do common global supply chains and production capabilities. We are committed to openness and transparency in everything we do.

However, the company hasn’t exactly been helping its credibility after it solicited more than 100 fake reviews of the Mate 10 Pro.